Salary for Mid-level / Intermediate Cyber Security in United States during 2024

Salary details

The average mid-level / intermediate Cyber Security salary lies between USD 80,000 and USD 137,000 in the United States. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Nov. 3, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Mid-level / Intermediate Cyber Security roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with mid-level / intermediate Cyber Security job listings are Compliance, Cloud and Computer Science. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Compliance | 491 jobs Cloud | 377 jobs Computer Science | 359 jobs Monitoring | 325 jobs CISSP | 322 jobs Vulnerabilities | 289 jobs NIST | 281 jobs Risk management | 264 jobs Clearance | 252 jobs Strategy | 248 jobs Firewalls | 234 jobs SIEM | 225 jobs Incident response | 221 jobs CISM | 189 jobs Governance | 189 jobs Audits | 187 jobs Risk assessment | 170 jobs ISO 27001 | 164 jobs Python | 163 jobs Windows | 163 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Mid-level / Intermediate Cyber Security roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with mid-level / intermediate Cyber Security job listings are Career development, Health care and Team events. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 554 jobs Health care | 290 jobs Team events | 238 jobs Flex hours | 237 jobs Competitive pay | 212 jobs Startup environment | 146 jobs Insurance | 125 jobs Equity / stock options | 108 jobs Parental leave | 97 jobs Medical leave | 97 jobs 401(k) matching | 95 jobs Flex vacation | 92 jobs Salary bonus | 92 jobs Wellness | 49 jobs Relocation support | 28 jobs Conferences | 27 jobs Transparency | 26 jobs Fitness / gym | 20 jobs Travel | 18 jobs Home office stipend | 15 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United States, the salary composition for a mid-level/intermediate cybersecurity role typically includes a fixed base salary, performance bonuses, and additional remuneration such as stock options or profit-sharing. The base salary often constitutes the majority of the total compensation package, usually ranging from 70% to 85%. Performance bonuses can vary significantly depending on the company and industry, often ranging from 5% to 20% of the base salary. Additional remuneration, such as stock options or profit-sharing, is more common in larger companies or tech-focused industries and can add another 5% to 15% to the total compensation. Regional differences also play a role; for instance, salaries in tech hubs like San Francisco or New York City tend to be higher due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals.

Increasing Salary

To increase your salary from a mid-level cybersecurity position, consider pursuing advanced certifications or specialized training in high-demand areas such as cloud security, penetration testing, or threat intelligence. Gaining experience in leadership roles or project management can also be beneficial. Networking within the industry and attending relevant conferences can open up opportunities for higher-paying positions. Additionally, considering a move to a larger company or a different industry that values cybersecurity expertise, such as finance or healthcare, can lead to higher compensation.

Educational Requirements

Most mid-level cybersecurity positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as computer science, information technology, or cybersecurity. Some employers may prefer candidates with a master's degree, especially for roles that involve more complex responsibilities or leadership tasks. Continuous education and staying updated with the latest cybersecurity trends and technologies are also crucial for career advancement.

Helpful Certifications

Certifications are highly valued in the cybersecurity field and can significantly enhance your qualifications. Some of the most common and beneficial certifications include:

• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• CompTIA Security+
• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

These certifications demonstrate a solid understanding of cybersecurity principles and practices and are often required or preferred by employers.

Required Experience

Typically, a mid-level cybersecurity role requires 3 to 5 years of relevant experience. This experience should include hands-on work in areas such as network security, incident response, vulnerability assessment, and security policy development. Experience with specific tools and technologies, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and security information and event management (SIEM) systems, is also important.

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